Planning another overseas trip - Part I

We are in the midst of preparing for our 2nd overseas trip together on the jetplane as a family. This time round, we are going to H O N G K O N G! *shouts hooray*

Yea, the last time we visited Hong Kong was so many years back. I bet HKG has changed a lot and I can't wait to go there and see and feel for ourselves. Love HKG and am damn looking forward to the trip. *excited*

We've tentatively fixed the date to travel on the 3rd week of October . Hopefully the travel agency can get back to me soon on the quotes so I can quickly book just in case I don't get the hotel that I want. Because it will only be a 4 hour flight, we will either be taking Jetstar or Cathay Pacific. I rather save on air ticket and spend more on accommodation and expenses there.

Our first trip abroad was to Jakarta to visit my cousin and her family. During that trip, I didn't had to worry a single bit about Alvis' meals. Every meal A had in Jakarta was homecooked by my cousin herself, nutritious and healthy. This time round, he will be having his meals for 5 days with us out at wherever we will be eating in HKG. Being a paranoid mom, I can't help but worry if he will be able to eat well in Hong Kong and the last thing I want to see is weight loss after the trip for Alvis baby. :P In our luggages, I will definitely be packing lots of his favorite biscuits/snacks and some easy-to-prepare cereal. Initially I thought of bringing a travel cooker and cook in the hotel but he is also already 2.5years old and can already eat table food, so I am trying to convince myself to just 'relax' for that 5 days. :S

Okay, maybe it's all a little too early. Still another 2 and a half months to go. Countdown is always the most dreadful thing to do if it's not "1 day left" on your calendar.

Do leave a comment if you know of any hotel in Hong Kong, preferably in Tsim Sha Tsui (Kowloon). We're considering Regal Kowloon Hotel and if you have been there and think it's worth recommending, do not hesitate to leave a comment. Thank you. :)

Happy mid-week everybody!
I can't wait for the weekend!

*coming up: Hubby's birthday is next week!! Can't wait. I bet Alvis baby will be happy to be able to blow out some candles.

Satisfied our craves for Japanese cuisine

Both me and Hubby love Japanese cuisine. Last Saturday, we decided to have Ichiban Boshi at Centrepoint and I called to make reservation in the afternoon, knowing that the queue at dinnertime during weekends can sometime be rather crazy.

It was yet another wonderful Saturday. Hubby was in morning shift and as usual, after Alvis baby's nap, with the stroller, I walked all the way to the train station to head down town to meet Hubby after work. I will always try to avoid taking cab unnecessarily as we stay so near to the MRT station and taking train to town is a breeze. Cabbing during Saturday evenings require additional peak hour surcharge as well. :)

Cars wherever he goes..


Looking at the menu, looking through the sushi he wanted to order...




but actually I packed his dinner from home. hehe..

I was the hungry one..


On weekends home with Alvis baby, I am usually too busy and engrossed with him and serving to all his needs I always neglect mine. :P I sometimes munch only some bread for breakfast in the morning while preparing his lunch, and then while he naps, I shower and prepare myself and his barang barang to go out in the evening.

So ya, I was famished and my stomach was growling.

But still, his stomach is my priority.


Feeding him while waiting for the food to be served.


"Papa! Look!"



He self-entertained himself and came up with his own 'tunnels' for his cars.



Young Inventor. Hahaha.



Hubby's cheese chicken karagge. If I didn't remember wrongly.



Does it make you drool? :P



I had yakiniku beef, something rather common.

He doesnt seem to be full from his porridge I brought from home even having some tamago sushi. I ordered a kid's meal for him.



Very very happy to see it served in a plane.





He didn't finish all the food of course. Haha. Else his stomach would explode.

It was yet another happy Saturday. After dinner we 'pampered' ourselves with some shopping. Had been a long time since we splurge on ourselves. Bought Alvis baby some Hi5 DVDs to entertain him on car rides, as well as a Leapfrog Fridge Words. Hopefully he will start spelling some 3 letter words soon! heh.

Hope Hubby is happy with his Chanel Allure Homme Sport fragrance. I love the scent. Among our loots were 2 Clarins bodycare products for me. Hopefully they are effective. hehe.. :X

still need to replenish my skincare. Had been awhile since I really pamper my skin.
I used to not miss a step in my skincare regime before I had Alvis baby. After delivery, I slackened and got lazy. Time to be in "tip-top" condition again! Lucky me, I didn't have to spend alot of makeup & skincare all these while after I quit my beauty job due to accummulation of previous quarterly goods allowances here and there. :P I wish I have some kind of magic so that my pump of shu uemura cleansing oil will be never-finishing. ha! Fat hope. :P

Enjoyed my weekend to the fullest. How about you? :)

Shall update tomorrow... Halfway through and I think I should go to bed..

Happy Sunday to all! :D

Happiness in an attitude - Something that I would like to share..

"Happiness is an attitude. We either make ourselves miserable, or happy and strong. The amount of work is the same. " ~Francesca Reigler

I came across this quote and find it to be totally meaningful. Exactly how I live my life with every single day.

Ever since young, I possess a very positive attitude towards life. And till date, I am happy with every single bit of my life since the moment I was brought to this world. I feel I've built myself a very strong character, which I am very proud of.

I'm always happy. Or rather I choose to be happy. There are many things in this world that can bring us down, but I believe it's all up to how we look at it, and I always choose to remember the happy things. And shallow people would then think that I do not have any single thing in my life to sulk about.

"A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort." ~Herm Albright, quoted in Reader's Digest, June 1995

The above quote basically explains it all. Whenever there is a problem, my positive attitude does not fail to influence the people around me, or rather the people in the problem with me.

I choose to only remember the good stuff, the happy moments and they are those that are worth remembering. Only if you nurture your own happy mind, then you will be able to make the people around you happy. Otherwise you will never be able to achieve the ultimate happiness in your one and only life, which I have faith that I will achieve that one day, if the happiness that I have right now is not yet to be considered ULTIMATE.

"Every day may not be good, but there's something good in every day." ~Unknown

I am definitely the one who always try to find something good out of everyday and not expecting everyday to be good. This is easy. You just have to start your day by paying attention to the little details. Be happy over the little details and be contented. If you can moan and complain over the slightest issue, you will have tons of things to be unhappy about and you won't even notice the happy things, even if they were to be existent.

And without any doubt, I agree with the following:

"A loving person lives in a loving world. A hostile person lives in a hostile world; everyone you meet is your mirror." ~Ken Keyes, Jr

and am pleased to be a loving person who lives in a loving world. That's why the people around me that I care, are all lovely.

Start living with a right attitude, a positive mind today. Feel the difference, relive your life, because you only have one. If you don't and you can't, then ask yourself:

"Is life so wretched? Isn't it rather your hands which are too small, your vision which is muddled? You are the one who must grow up." ~Dag Hammarskjold

Have a good weekend readers!

I will definitely enjoy mine, even if hubby love needs to work on both days this weekend but he knows he will be greatly missed. :)

3-in-1 : K, S, A = Happiness Unlimited

Was supposed to go to work today, but little J was unwell so I didn't send Alvis over to aunt's place, worried that she might be tired nursing J. Took an urgent leave to look after A instead.
Coincidentally, Hubby was off today as well..
Though it was our 3rd so called wedding day anniversary, we didn't plan anything special because we usually celebrate our wedding anniversary in December (our ROM date).

Hubby bathed Alvis baby in the morning while I was still in bed.. :) Really thankful for that.. I woke up while they were in the bathroom to get ready to move out for lunch. Because it was a last minute decision to have to stay home with Alvis, there was nothing in the fridge to prepare his lunch, so we headed out..

The weather appeared fine in the morning so we decided to try to go to Henderson Waves again. Went to Vivo City first for lunch.. We took our own sweet time, :P and by the time we finished our lunch, it was already close to 1pm.







Papa, I want to hold the camera!



Alvis baby spotted the fountain outside the mall on our way down to the carpark. He shouted excitedly to go take a look. He loves water fountains.



I think he saw a little girl doing that action with the hands on the head, thus he followed.

Both Hubby and I were amused.





We would laugh each time we look at it.



<3



:)

We headed up Mount Faber Park.. Found Carpark D to park our car..

Changed Alvis baby into just his singlet, thinking that it would be warm..







Very soon, after all these pictures were taken, we noticed that dark clouds were moving pretty fast.. Without us realizing, the sky was already almost grey, we quickly moved back to the carpark even before we could start our trail on The Southern Ridges.

Hubby took some shots of the flowers:



Pretty!



We were a little disappointed but glad that we left at the right time because shortly after we came down Mt Faber, it started pouring and Alvis baby was sleepy already. Shall try our luck again another time. :)

We got home and 3 of us napped together at 2pm. I woke up in shock at 4.15pm because I had forgotten to allow some meat to thaw before I napped. I sprang out of bed but luckily it thawed in time for me to prepare porridge for Alvis baby. :P

Went to Tampines Retail Park for dinner. Had yummy fresh and healthy Subway. Popped by my dad's place for awhile before we came back home.

Grumpy Alvis. :P



Hmm?



Happy! :D



Grouchy again. hahaha..



He was angry cuz Daddy disallowed him to play with the aircon remote control..

Whining to mommy.. but useless... :P

After that, he was all smiley again. We tucked him to bed and he fell asleep quietly.. :)

It was a simple day spent together, but we had lotsa laughters. Nothing beats spending quality time with my two darlings. Just being with them, we don't have to do anything, it's already ultimate bliss. Can't wait, and looking very forward to the next family day, very soon.

I also need to blog about something historical, special and definitely worth remembering.

My Hubby, the no.1 durian hater bought me durian for the very first time in these 7 years together last night.
He hates durian alot, he doesnt eat durian, he won't smell durian, and he definitely wouldn't even want to touch it with his bare fingers.

BUT he bought me some durian on his way back from work last night. I couldn't believe, even right till now. Neither can he. :)



Not in the durian shell definitely, I think he would really faint at home if I were to pry open each shell and dig out the durian one by one. :P He went to the stall and told that uncle that he doesnt eat durian and he doesnt know how to buy so asked the uncle to give him some sweet ones (yea, I love sweet durian). I was very amazed by how he allowed those durians to get on his car. :P My durian were delivered in our VIP ride.. muahahaha.. :P

You should have seen my face. How I smiled silly to myself from the moment he stepped in the house till even today when I was finishing the other box that I had kept in the fridge overnight. (Hubby used 3 layers plastic bags to keep that 1 styrofoam box of durian. 2 tied in an almost dead knot and the last bag in an air-tight clipper) :P but still, the fridge smelt "duriany". hehe...

Hubby even urged me last night by saying "quick, eat your durian" when he was sitting beside me. I was like "you mean eat here?" and he replied "ya." You should have seen how my face lit up and how happily I opened that styrofoam box and he was watching tv behind me. Though he did complain about how smelly, he didnt moved away and I didn't need to shift either.

Thank you hubby, for doing something that you wouldn't have thought you would do it. It was really brave and very selfless of you. I know how much you hate durian, and I even had to remove durian from our wedding day morning gate-crashing sabotage session. I hope you can feel how much I appreciate it, the most awful tasting durian would have tasted heavenly. (dont worry, those you bought were really very nice. :) )

榴莲吃在口里，甜在心里，臭在冰箱里，香在回忆里。 ♥
谢谢你, 我爱你.

7 years and counting, I still believe strongly that we are for each other.

2 of us make a loving pair. 3 of us make a perfect trio.
I love both of you, greater than anything else in the whole wide world. <3

20.07.2007

Tomorrow is a special date. It marks 3 years anniversary of a special day.

Though we have been happily married for almost 5 years, been together for a total of 7 years and counting, tomorrow is indeed a special occasion.

4 years ago we started preparing for our big day.. The day we held our customary wedding and our dinner to share the joy with all the close friends and relatives. I still remember every single thing that happened that very day, the exact feelings and the exact emotions, I still keep those fond memories close to my heart...

Be with us, while we celebrate our love. A journey we started 7 years ago, a love story true, pure and bold. As much as I am looking forward to tomorrow, I also can't wait to celebrate our 5th wedding anniversary in December... That was when we officially became Man and Wife.

We are special. <3

28 Months Old

Alvis baby turned 28 months old today. That makes him officially 2.5 years old. Time really flies, I wish it could slow down a little so that I can enjoy it at my own pace.. But I guess it's because of how fast time passes that makes you want to treasure and cherish every moment.

Here's an update of what we have been up to these 2 days. The week of the "perfect-schedule" has came to an end, we closed the week on a happy note. :)

We had initially planned to go to Henderson Waves yesteday morning. However, we woke up later than scheduled, and it was raining the moment we were up. So we had to quickly change our plan and plan B was to catch a movie. I have been deciding for the longest time if it is appropriate to bring a 2 yr old to the cinema. Is the loud sound ok? Is the big screen fine for their little eyes? Many questions. Unanswered. Haha.. In the end, we went ahead. For Despicable Me. I heard that it was a short movie, so since I had a pair of GV Movie Money to be utilized before end of July, we only paid for 1 ticket to get the 3 of us into the theatre.

In his new Dr. Seuss Converse shoes, off we went to the cinema for his first ever movie experience. I picked GV Marina because there's a Pu-Tien there and we could have our lunch there before the show.





Putting on his new shoes. He was so proud. :)







We were in a bit of rush. The show was at 12.30pm (and yea, I gave ourselves 15mins allowance knowing that GV doesnt start on time). But we had lunch to do within 20mins. That explains why I was so far ahead in front, and Alvis baby trying to catch up. :P

And in less than a minute, he was running ahead of me already.



All like a grown-up.



Lunch was at Pu-Tien

Our prince in the smart Burberry. First movie experience ma, must dress up. :)







Mommy looking at the menu... Hmm.. got to do a quick one..


Keeping himself entertained before the food was served.. It took quite a while despite the very empty restaurant..



Can't help but keep having to say that my baby is now a big boy already.



Entertaining ourselves before we got busy with the food...









We quickly polished up our food and rushed to the cinema at 12.45pm. The show has already started. Overall, Alvis baby was cooperative in the theatre, though he asked to go out for a 5-mins break. I think he would have sat through if I had brought him enough snacks. But because I didn't want him to over-snack, he only had a small box of organic raisins, less than 5 pieces of cereal crackers and a small bottle of Gerbers Apple Juice. Good enough for his first time. I'm proud. And of course most importantly, both me and Hubby got to go to the cinema together with Alvis. Hubby had a good time laughing. :)

After the movie, we came home and my boys napped a good 2 hours while I prepared Alvis' dinner. After he was done with his meal, we proceeded to Punggol Marina.
Hubby was meeting his sec-school classmates, after 15 years. He must had been real nervous and excited.

It was a beautiful evening..





We were to meet at Sakura Charcoal-Grill & Shabu Shabu Restaurant.. First time there.. It was rather warm, but the food were rather interesting. Maybe because I haven't had steamboat for quite awhile, let alone say Char-Grill. It's basically like a buffet spread and you cook your own food either in the steamboat pot or above the charcoal. There were sushi and other cooked food as well.



Before we went, I had prepared Alvis baby by telling him that we were going to meet Daddy's friend and that he must be a good boy and be friendly.



He must had remembered my words very clearly..



Because he sat in that IKEA highchair for more than 2 hours, in fact, almost close to 3 hours.
And when I asked him if he wanted to go home when it was already 9pm, he shook his head and told me "No. Meet Daddy's friend."

I could only smile and stroke his head.

Hubby's group of classmates.





That's Shirley talking to Alvis baby. She's an English teacher in China.





Half way through the dinner, Alvis baby already made good friends with her. :)

Not only did he behaved totally throughout dinner, fuss-free and exceptionally good, he also smiled his cutest while taking group photos before they called it a day.





Two thumbs-up for my boy. We were full of praises for him on the way home.
He must had been really happy last night. He slept exceptionally late too, but I tried not to think too much about it since he napped till 5pm yesterday.

This morning, we all woke up at 11am.

!!!!!

First time for 2.5 years, we all slept in late, including Alvis.
It must had been Alvis' present to Mommy and Daddy for all the sleep we lost these 2.5 years. :D

We quickly got ready, 3 of us showered and headed out for lunch at Compass Point, bought some reall nice muffins at the food fair which was ending today already. Boo. Haha.. After that, we carried out as planned, and that was to go to Fidgets. We really like that place. :)

Alvis baby remembered the place though he only went once before this. He was extremely excited and happy. I was very happy to see him all smiley!

At the registration counter... Each time you go there, you have to sign in and be issued a Fidgets card, like a "cashcard" you use to charge all your expenses at the playground and the cafe..



Couldn't wait to get in. :)





Absolutely cute. :P



RUNNNN!!!



Mommy's conquering the playground with me!



Daddy was the camera crew.



Camera Crew also not easy. Got to go through the obstacles just like we did too!









Standing there refusing to move, till I go and hold his hand. -.-"



Still stoning there, and he didnt noticed that something big was coming his way. hahaha..



On a side note, I thought I looked pretty cool in this picture:



....
LOL

Back to climbing..



decided not to do it..



Fickle-minded. Couldn't make up his mind.



"Go ball pit better"



he laughed so much in that small little pit..



He just loves balls.



"DIVE IN!"



He finally got a chance to play with the Little Tikes Police Car after waiting deperately there for the longest time ever even though he was "the next in queue".



There were two little girls playing with the police car, so I told Alvis baby to wait for his turn, to wait for them to be done with playing then he could have a go in the ride since everyone has to share it. He waited patiently and eagerly, hoping that they would be done soon, since they seemed to have been playing for quite awhile and they took turns to "look after" the ride when either one ran off and refused to give in up for the other kids. Alvis baby didn't left the area, he walked around, picked up balls, kicked some balls, just wishing to be there once the ride was free.

Then finally the 2 girls decided to leave, the police car was available and Alvis baby ran towards it. Just as he was getting to the ride, another boy dashed from behind and got on it. His dad was there looking at him snatched the ride from Alvis baby, knowing that he was waiting there for the longest time ever but did not say a word. I was totally disgusted. If I were the parent, I would have said "Look, someone was there before you, you got to wait for your turn." But no, the man did not say a word. Yet still cheered his son on, encouraging him to "drive" fast.

Alvis baby did not cry nor whine. He just signalled to me "Why Mommy?" and came walking back to me sitting there watching the whole incident took place. I wasn't the parent of the child so I had no right to lecture him. I told Alvis baby instead, "Look, that was not right. You came first but korkor snatched the ride from you. You must not learn." He nodded quietly and I told him to wait till he was done. Parents who don't teach their children moral values as and when needed, no matter how small the issue may be are disgusting. They have no one to blame if the child grows up to be someone rude except for themselves.


Still, I didn't want Alvis baby to feel upset, I played and entertained him while waiting for his turn..

When he got the ride, he was very happy, like FINALLY.







His =S face.



He didn't managed to play for long because there was another caucasian boy who came along and asked him if he could play. Both me and Hubby told Alvis baby that korkor asked politely so he should share the ride. He readily got up even before we could finish our sentences, and he asked for his toy cars to play since he couldnt play long in the Little Tikes.



We didn't stay long, I think for about 1+hour.
On our way out, Hubby spotted 3 princesses. Uber cute. I told him to snap a picture of them. :)



It was a great day. Even though it was almost raining the whole of today, we managed to have some fun out. Because Alvis baby didn't nap today as he woke up at 11am, I had wanted him to sleep early just now. We had to go out and buy dinner so I changed him in his pyjamas and put him in his stroller and we walked to Compass Point. Upon reaching CP and decided on what to eat, he dozed off at 8pm and we quickly packed some KFC home.

We enjoyed the fingers lickin' good stuff at the comfort of our home after I tucked him in bed. He is sleeping so soundly, I hope he's having the sweetest dream.

Happy 28 months old, son. You've always been our pride and joy. May you continue to grow healthily and happily. You're the best thing ever happened to both Daddy and Mommy and we love you so much. We've both learnt so much from you thru out these 28months and Mommy's sure there are more to come. As you know, you're Mommy's 宝贝. :)

Tomorrow's the start of a new week again, are you ready?